variegate

verb

var·​ie·​gate ˈver-ē-ə-ˌgāt  ˈver-i-ˌgāt 

variegated; variegating

transitive verb

1

: to diversify in external appearance especially with different colors : dapple

2

: to enliven or give interest to by means of variety

variegator

ˈver-ē-ə-ˌgā-tər 

ˈver-i-ˌgā-

noun

Examples of variegate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And there was considerable evidence of current ideas on baroque performance practice: buoyant rhythms, variegated (not absolute) legato, sparing string vibrato. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 13 Mar. 2023

Take Cues from the Landscape For this garden door container, red-orange copperleaf and variegated sea hibiscus tie into the color of a nearby Japanese maple. —Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2023

Pesto Perpetuo’ basil grabs attention right away thanks to its upright growth and variegated leaves. —Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 May 2020

These wings are variegated and flecked with pigment, taking on the radiant transparency of monochrome stained glass. —Daisy Alioto, The New York Review of Books, 27 Mar. 2020

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin variegātus, past participle of variegāare "to diversify with different colors," from varius "having contrasting colors, various entry 1" + -egāre, variant of -igāare, verb suffix based on -ig-, nominal derivative of agere "to drive, do," as in rēmig-, rēmex "oarsman," hence rēmigāre "to row" — more at agent

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1